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  3. America and West Indies: September 1686

America and West Indies: September 1686

Pages 239-253

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 12 1685-1688 and Addenda 1653-1687. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1899.

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Citation:

September 1686

Sept. 4. 842. Warrant of the Lords Proprietors of Carolina for the grant of three thousand acres of land to Henry Augustus Chastaigner, Seigneur de Cramaké, and Alexander Thezée Chastaigner, Seigneur de Lisle. Signed, Craven, P. Colleton, Tho. Amy. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXII., p. 86.]
Sept. 6. 843. Deposition of Thomas Burton. As to the seditious and mutinous action of Stafford, Keele, Bascom, Righton, and others towards the Governor. 1 p. Endorsed. Recd. from Colonel Cony, 15 Feb. 86–7. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVIII., No. 42.]
Sept. 7. 844. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Address of the Governor and Company of Rhode Island of 3 July read (see No. 750). Agreed to advise that the Colony be included in Sir Edward Andros's Government, and that he be empowered also to receive the surrender of the Charter of Connecticut and take in that Colony also. Colonel Dongan to be ordered to deliver Pemaquid to Sir E. Andros.
Draft commission to Sir Nathaniel Johnson from the Leeward Islands read and approved.
Colonel Molesworth's letters of 15 and 23 June and 5 July read.A paper of proposals from Sir Robert Robinson read (see No. 845). Agreed to submit them to the King. Memorandum of documents sent and received. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CIX., pp. 11–15.]
[Sept. 7.] 845. Sir Robert Robinson's request to the Lords of Trade and Plantations concerning Bermuda. (1.) That a sufficient salary be established. (2.) That arms and ammunition be provided. (3.) That for protection against pirates or other enemy, forty or fifty regular soldiers may be sent out. (4.) That the unserviceable guns in the Castle may be changed for new ones. (5.) That good gun-carriages may be provided, or (6) such a man as Sharpe may come again and master the Colony. Copy. 1 p. Endorsed. Read 7 Sept. 86. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVIII., No. 43.]
[Sept. 7.] 846. Lords of Trade and Plantations to Governor Dongan. We enclose you the petition of Robert Wright and Francis Pew, together with Sir Edmund Andros's answer (see Nos. 681, 847) for your report. Meanwhile all proceedings touching the lands concerned must be stopped. Draft, with corrections. Undated. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVIII., No. 44.]
[Sept. 7.] 847. Answer of Sir Edmund Andros to the petition of Robert Wright and Francis Pew (see No. 681). I was not present when this judgment against petitioners was obtained, but if it be upheld it will defeat most if not all of the English grants and improvements in New York. 2¼ pp. Copy. Endorsed. Recd. 7 Sept. 86. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVIII., No. 45.]
Original draft of foregoing, with corrections. 2 pp. Endorsed. Recd. 7 Sept. 86. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVIII., No. 46.]
Sept. 7.
Council
Chamber.		 848. William Blathwayt to Lord Dartmouth. Forwarding the account of the stores and forts in Jamaica (see No. 716). [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXI., p. 167.]
Sept. 8. 849. Minutes of Council of Maryland. James Heath sworn Clerk of the Council. John Loder appeared, and laid a complaint against Captain John Crofts, of H.M.S. Deptford, for extorting, by vexatious detention of his vessel, five barrels of English brandy, two barrels of Jamaica sugar, one piece of shirting flannel, and a case of excellent strong waters, the whole valued at 36l. Crofts, before he allowed him to sail, made him promise to sign a paper stating that he had given and received nothing for his discharge. A deposition of Samuel Woodward, making complaint that Crofts had insulted him, called him into his cabin, boxed him severely, and ordered him to be put into bilboes. He remained in irons for an hour and a half, during which time his ketch was searched, but nothing irregular found. Crofts, however, would not let the ship go till he had taken some bacon from him. Further evidence. Warrant for arrest of certain persons for drinking the Duke of Monmouth's health and speaking foul words of the King. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LIV., pp. 30–35.]
Sept. 10. 850. Journal of Council and Assembly of Nevis. Act for continuing former Acts for two years published. Petition of the Governors of the Island read. Petition of Edward Harris, Provost Marshal, for a free tavern-licence. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVIII., p. 123.]
Sept. 10. 851. Minutes of Council of Maryland. Legal and judicial business. Complaint of the Chopticoe Indians, through their King, Mr. William Assouam, of encroachment and damages suffered from their English neighbours. Major William Boarman ordered to enquire into the matter and strictly to forbid malpractices in future. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LIV., pp. 35–39.]
Sept. 10.
H.M.S.
hartmouth,
at Boston.		 852. Captain St Loe, R.N., to the Earl of Sunderland. I was ordered in my passage hither from Nevis to call at Bermuda and seize Captain Bartholomew Sharpe for piracy, which I did, and have him, his crew, and ship, all in custody. But I cannot try them before I return to Nevis. I was forced to stay some time at Bermuda, by the Governor's request, to settle the disturbances there, and at my departure took five of the principal ringleaders on board by the Governor's order to be delivered to you. Meeting with this ship bound direct for London, I have transferred them to her, under the care of one of my gentlemen, Mr. George Hav, and four other men. Signed, G. St. Loe. P.S.—Sharpe sold upwards of thirty Spanish Indians, subjects of the King of Spain, captured at Campeachy, to the Bermudians. I think that the Governor should not have allowed it. 1 p. Endorsed. Recd. 18 Nov. 86. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVIII., No. 47, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XVIII., pp. 13, 14.]
Sept. 11.
New York.		 853. Grants of Crown lands by Governor Dongan to Gilbert Crom (pp. 6,7) and David Gardner (pp. 8–11). [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXIII., pp. 6–11.]
Sept. 11. 854. Benjamin Bullivant to Edward Randolph. I served the Order in Council on Mr. Rawson about the delivery of the records. After much talk he has answered that he will shortly see you about it, that the oath of God is upon him to the country that entrusted him, and that he cannot satisfy his conscience that he ought to resign them unless discharged by a power that can indemnify him. He also thinks it right that before he be discharged of his trust the arrears of his salary should be paid as well as a consideration for his trouble in sorting the papers, which will take some time and require an assistant. Copy. ½ p. Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVIII., No. 48.]
Sept. 12. 855. Petition of Peter Reverdy to the King. New England and New York consume over two million bushels of salt a year. I am skilled in making salt, and have found places proper for the same in these countries. I propose to advance your Revenue £10,000 a year in a few years by an excise of five shillings a ton for all salt made and sold in those parts. I beg a Patent for the sole making of salt within the 40th to the 44th degrees of latitude in America, and for power to take up the land proper for the purpose in any of the plantations, or to purchase it at the current rates if already taken up. Sheet, In the margin. Order of the King referring the petition to Lords of Trade and Plantations for report. Windsor, September 12, 1686. Signed, Sunderland. In scribed. 13 Oct. 1686. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVIII., No. 49.]
Sept. 12.
Windsor.		 856. Instructions to Sir Edmund Andros as Governor of New England. Clause 18.—The style of enacting laws is to be "By the Governor and Council." Clause 37.—Neighbouring Colonies are to be assisted on occasion. Clauses 40, 41.—The Indians are to be encouraged to trade, and their land is to be bought, if thought expedient. Clause 43.—He is to report as to Richard Wharton's claim to Pojebscot, and (44) on the title to the Narragansett country. 53.—He is to encourage the conversion of the negroes. 57.—No printing is to be permitted without a licence. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXI., pp. 285–296.]
Sept. 12. 857. Memorandum of Lords of Trade and Plantations. The Government of Rhode Island having agreed not to stand suit with the King over the Quo Warranto, the Lords agree to recommend that Sir Edmund Andros be empowered to receive the surrender of the Charter, promising them the King's countenance and protection, and to exercise there the same powers of government for that Colony as for the other Colonies of New England. An additional instruction to that effect was accordingly drawn up for Sir Edmund Andros. Here follows the instruction, giving the same powers also in respect of Connecticut, if that Government should take the same course as Rhode Island. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXI., pp. 305–307.]
Sept. 12.
Windsor.		 858. Commission to Sir Nathaniel Johnson to be Governor of the Leeward Islands. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVII., pp. 201–211.]
Sept. 12. 859. Proposals of the Duke of Albemarle as to Jamaica. Indentical with No. 759, but with the details as to the 2,500l. in the last article omitted. Endorsed. Read in the Committee. Sept. 12, 86, before his Maty. 2½ pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVIII., No 50, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXI., pp. 243–246.]
Sept. 13.
Windsor.		 860. Warrant to George, Lord Dartmouth, Master-General of the Ordnance. For the delivery of ammunitions and stores to Sir Edmund Andros, for New England. Countersigned, Sunderland. Copy. ½ p. Enclosed,
860. I. A list of the stores referred to. 4 pp. [Col. Papers, No. 51, 51I., and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXI., pp. 308–311.]
Sept. 13.
New York.		 861. The Secretary of New York to William Blathwayt. I hope to be myself the bearer of the quarterly returns required by the Lords of Trade and Plantations. Signed, J. Spragge. 1 p. Endorsed. Recd. 15 Nov. 86. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVIII., No. 52, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXVIII., p. 152.]
Sept. 14. 862. Minutes of Council of New York. Governor Dongan took the oaths on receiving his new Commission and Instructions. Anthony Brockholes, Frederick Flipson, Stephanus van Cortlandt, John Spragge, and Gervis Baxter were sworn of the Council. Agreed that Mr. Santen be not sworn yet. The Governor's commission and instructions read. Charter of liberties drawn up by the General Asembly read and repealed. Order to prevent frauds by trading vessels. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXIII., p. 1A.]
Sept. 14. 863. Minutes of Council and Assembly of St. Christopher's. Order for all owners of ships to enter them with the Secretary of the Island, on pain of forfeiture. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVIII., p. 59.]
Sept. 14. 864. Minutes of Council of Maryland. Order for issue of writs to call the Assembly together on 31 October, and for issue of writs for election of members in place of other members dead or departed the country. The question of promoting the building of towns was considered, and a proclamation issued appointing officers to superintend the execution of the Acts passed with that object, and declaring that any words spoken or published to the effect that building of towns is not for the good of the country shall be construed as disaffection to the Government, and punished accordingly. Order for suppression of Robert Gellie's ordinary at St. Marie's as prejudicial to the public. A criminal under sentence of death for stealing a horse pardoned on condition of becoming common hangman.
Sept. 15. Instructions to the officers appointed to execute the Acts for promoting the building of towns. Full nominal list of those officers, thirty-three in all. Order for entry of all goods shipped to be made in his Lordship's shipping offices. On the question whether Colonels Henry Darnall and William Digges, joint keepers of the great seal during Lord Baltimore's absence, should both sign all instruments, the Council decided that Darnall alone should sign, and it was ordered accordingly. William Dent appointed Clerk of the Lower House of Assembly.
Sept. 16. Proceedings against Giles Porter and others charged with drinking the Duke of Monmouth's health and speaking treasonable words. This report is at great length. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LIV., pp. 39–62.]
Sept. 16. 865. Lords Proprietors of Carolina to Governor James Colleton. Empowering him to remove Robert Quarry from all his offices, and appoint other officers in his room, if need be. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXII., p. 98.]
Sept. 15.
Jamaica.		 866. Lieutenant-Governor Molesworth to William Blathwayt. The sloop for which I was lying in wait escaped Captain Sprag, but on further information I sent a sloop after her, under Lieutenant Smith, of the Falcon, who came up with her just as nine men left her in canoe, who escaped into a creek where he could not follow them. The captured sloop has been brought into Port Royal, and the master is awaiting his trial for holding correspondence with pirates. I caused search to be made for the nine men, but without success. Captain Talbot has orders to keep out guard-boats every night and do his best to surprise some of them. I shall make severe examples of any that are caught. Recd. 10 Dec. 1686. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXI., pp. 196–197.]
Sept, 16. 867. Minutes of Council of New York. Order for Major Patrick Macgregory to muster the Militia in all the counties and report on them to the Governor. The Militia is to be exercised on at least four days in the year, one of which is to be October 14th, the King's birthday. A list is to be printed of the unenrolled men between sixteen and sixty. All Militiamen failing to appear when summoned will be fined ten shillings for the first offence, twenty shillings for the second, and forty or a month's imprisonment for the third. Order for Captain Lucas Santen to appear with the troop of horse under his command on October 14th next, and for Major Nicholas de Meyer to give notice to the captains of Ioot within the city to draw out their companies on that day. Orders to the King's revenue officers for the protection and regulation of the revenue. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXIII., pp. 1A–5A.]
Sept. 16. 868. Minutes of Council of Jamaica. Message from the Assembly, reporting their meeting. The Governor answered, recommending them to raise money by an equal tax from their own estates for their own security and for payment of debts incurred. He ordered the Speaker to put the question directly to the vote, that there might be no evasion, and suggested a parish-tax. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXVI., pp. 133, 133A.]
Sept. 18. 869. Minutes of Council of Jamaica. Petition of the Parish of St. George, praying for relief from the burden of defending themselves against rebellious negroes in adjoining parishes, referred to the Assembly, also that of Ann Symes, for compensation for wounds received from the rebel negroes. Order for sundry payments. Message from the Assembly. A parish tax for part payments had been negatived, but for future defence against rebel negroes had been affirmed. The Assembly suggested additional duties on imports, to meet the past debts. The Council asked for a free conference, to which the Assembly agreed. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXVI., pp. 133A–134A.]
Sept. 18. 870. Minutes of Council of New York. Enquiries as to the information of Captain Matthias Nicholls against John Smith, of the Customs, for refusing to take into the Custom-house a bale of raw silk. Order for Smith to be arrested and brought before the Council. On his appearance he apologised, but was fined ten pounds, and it was the Council's advice that he be allowed to serve no longer in any office belonging to the King's revenue. The Governor forgave him the fine. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXIII., pp. 5A–7A.]
Sept. 18.
Barbados.		 871. Lieutenant Governor Stede to Lords of Trade and Plantations. "Having now, through the goodness of God, in great measure recovered my health and strength from the dismal and epidemical distemper of this country called the belly-ache, which has raged this year more than usual amongst all sorts of people, and with which I have been miserably tormented above two months," I am able to explain my long silence. In July I received the King's orders as to St. Lucia, and sent away H.M.S. Mary Rose, Captain John Temple, with a sloop, to execute the royal commands therein, giving him at first ten files of landsmen to attend the service there, which however were presently disbanded, the Mary Rose being judged sufficiently well manned. Temple therefore sailed to St. Lucia, executed his orders as well as he could there, and proceeded to St. Vincent, where he found the Indians and negroes very insolent, but few Christians living there. It being the hurricane season and the weather growing foul, Captain Temple sailed for Tobago, which has not only been never visited by hurricanes, but has plenty of secure harbours. I hope, therefore, for his safe and speedy return. Captain Temple sent the sloop to me with an account of what he had done. This vessel meeting with foul weather, was forced to run in to St. Lucia for water, where she was received with a volley of small shot from forty or fifty French, who called them thieves, pirates and robbers, though she was flying the King's jack and pennant. The commander fired two or three patararoes towards the shore, which made the French retire into the woods, no damage being done on either side. The captain then went ashore and filled his watercasks without hindrance, but found that the King's arms set up by Captain Temple had been broken down. I send copies of the papers sent me by Captain Temple, among which are the commissions given by French Governors to the subjects of these islands to cut timber and to plant. If this had been reported before, the French at Martinique would not be so well fortified as they are, for I am told that they have no timber for fortification in their own territories, but have built all with timber from St. Lucia. Since the French Governor at Martinique is much disgusted with what has been done at St. Lucia, and threatens revenge, I have thought it best to send a copy of my orders to Captain Temple, of my proclamation, and of other papers written by me on that occasion.
I have received the King's order to admit Richard Harwood to the Council. The appointment was such a surprise to the Council that the members begged me to suspend his admission until they had represented to you his incapacity to serve, and received your further orders. They alleged that he stood under scandalous circumstances which disabled him for so honourable a trust, but these not being known nor made to appear to me, I duly admitted and swore him. On this, I presume, the Council have addressed the King for his removal. I wish Mr. Harwood's education and experience had rendered him better qualified; but I never till now knew that he was other than a loyal and honest man, nor do I now know the truth of the stories against him. I have lately called an Assembly, both for the collection of the Laws and for the completion of the fortifications. I hope soon to give you a full account as to your orders respecting Mr. Daniel and Sir Richard Dutton. 2½ closely written pages. Endorsed. Recd. 15 Nov. Read 20 Nov. 1686. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVIII., No. 53, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VII., pp. 389–391.] Annexed,
871. I. Instructions of Lieutenant-Governor Stede to Captain John Temple, R.N. You will sail to St. Lucia, and send an armed party ashore there, as if to hunt, who will discover from the inhabitants their numbers and the resources of the Island, and ask them how they came to be there without permission of the King of England. If they answer you unkindly you will do your best to secure them and bring them away, but you will use no act of hostility unless they first offer violence to you. Then you will hoist the King's colours and read the Proclamation. But if they answer you gently you will cause them to set their seals to the document of submission to be subjects of the King of England. If they refuse to do this you will remove them, demolish all their buildings and plantations, set up the King's arms on some suitable tree and steer for St. Vincent and Dominica, where you will perform the same service. You will then repair to Martinique, but not so as to expose yourself to the warships or batteries, and deliver my letter to the Governor that the passengers and their goods may be put ashore; but if need be you will put them ashore yourself as best you can. If weather force you, you may put into Tobago instead of returning here directly. Twelve articles. Signed, Edwyn Stede. 22 July 1686. Copy. Large sheet. Endorsed. Recd. 15 Nov. 86.
871. II. Proclamation of Lieutenant-Governor Stede, calling upon all foreigners who have made settlements on the Islands of St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and Dominica, without the King's licence, to leave the Islands with their goods or subscribe a paper acknowledging the sovereignty of King James. They are further directed not to fish or fell timber without leave from the Governor of Barbados. Signed, Edwyn Stede. 22 July 1686. Large sheet, endorsed as the preceding.
871. III. From of acknowledgment of the King of England's sovereignty over St. Lucia, Dominica, and St. Vincent, to be signed by the foreign inhabitants who wish to remain thereon. 1 p. Endorsed as the preceding.
871. IV. Letter from Lieutenant-Governor Stede to Comte de Blenac, Governor of Martinique. Announcing that, in obedience to the King's orders, he has directed all French subjects to be removed from Dominica, St. Vincent, and St. Lucia, and be transported in a King's frigate to Martinique, with their goods, and desiring boats wherein to land them. Dated, 22 July 1685. Copy. Endorsed as the preceding.
871. V. Captain Temple, R.N., to the Governor of Martinique. In obedience to my orders, I have ordered the French subjects at St. Lucia to leave the Island, with their goods. Some have peaceably obeyed but others will not, but fly into the woods when we approach. I must ask you to send a vessel to fetch them off, or I shall be compelled to use force against them. I have also found much of the King of England's wood cut, ready to be carried away by some of the inhabitants of Martinique. This I must not permit, and I beg that you will forbid French subjects to fell timber, sow, plant, or fish on or about this Island, unless they acknowledge the sovereignty of the King of England. Dated, 30 July 1686. Copy. 1½ pp. Endorsed as the preceding.
871. VI. Journal of Captain Temple's voyage to St. Lucia and St. Vincent. Sunday 25 July.—Sailed from Speight's Bay at 10 p.m. Monday 26th.—Sighted St. Lucia at 2 p.m. Lay off and on till next morning, when went ashore about noon with fifty armed men at Pigeon Island, where we found two houses but no one in them. After a time a Frenchman came to us who had run into the woods. On speaking to him, he said that he durst not acknowledge the sovereignty of the King of England for fear of the Governor of Martinique. Hoisted the flag and read the proclamation, then crossed to the Main Island, Picked up a canoe on the way, and carried the people on board her ashore. Came to a house, but found no one in it. On announcing my business, these men gave the same answer as the first. Tuesday 27th (sic).—Went ashore to remove the people with their goods, as they had promised should be done, but found they had removed their goods and hidden themselves in the woods. Wednesday 28th.—A French sloop came in to cut wood. Ordered them to abstain, and to wait and carry off the inhabitants. Saw serveral houses and persons before landing, but on reaching the shore found no one. Thursday 29th.—Went ashore and burnt the houses. Friday 30th.—Sent the master of the French sloop ashore, to induce his countrymen to depart, but he could find none. Set fire to all houses in the bays in these parts, and destroyed the plantations, but left their goods at the water-side. Saturday 31st.—Went ashore again, when a party of Frenchmen came down and called us pirates, heaving billets of wood at us. Fired a shot or two at them, and they fled into the woods. Saturday, August 1st.—Went ashore again, found no one, destroyed more houses. Monday 2nd.—Went ashore again, and continued yesterday's work. A Frenchman appeared, and announced his readiness to leave the Island for Martinique. Tuesday 3rd.—Sailed for St. Vincent. Wednesday 4th.—Anchored before St. Vincent at 11 a.m. Several Indians on shore, with bows and arrows. Manned the boat and discoursed with them from the sea, assuring them that I meant them no harm. They retired behind a bank, and stood ready to let fly at us, using very base language and firing several arrows at the sloop. We fired at them, and they fled into the woods. Burnt their houses and went off. Thursday 5th.—Weighed and sailed to Leeward. The Indians shot several arrows as the boat neared the shore, but at our landing they disappeared. Burnt their houses and destroyed their plantations. At the door of one of the houses found a letter written by a French Jesuit, Copy. 4 pp. Endorsed as the preceding.
871. VII. Captain Temple to Lieutenant Governor Stede. The bulk of this letter is simply an abridgment of the journal given in the preceding abstract. The reason for my not going to Dominica is that we fear a hurricane. Dated, 6 August, 1686. Copy. 1½ pp. Endorsed as the preceding.
871. VIII. The same to the same. Reporting a further skirmish with Indians at St. Vincent. Dated, 10 August 1686. 1 p.
871. IX. Pass from the Governor of Martinique for carpenters to go and cut wood at St. Lucia. Signed, Le Conte (sic) de Blenac. 3 Sept. 1679. 1 p. Endorsed as the preceding.
871. X. A similar pass. Signed, Chambly. 22 Janvier 1683. Scrap. Endorsed as the preceding.
871. XI. A similar pass. Signed, Blenac, and countersigned, Larmoigneux. Endorsed as the preceding.
871. XII. Father Combaud to [the English commander]. Having been obliged to follow the Caribs, in order to baptise the poor children who might die of fatigue and to help those whom it might please God to inspire with Christian feelings, I have left this letter at your door to ask your protection for one of our brothers, who is with me in this Island, and for two servants, a Frenchman and a little Carib, who has lived with us for seven or eight years at Martinique but has been frightened into leaving us. I beg your protection also for myself, for my little hut, and for all that belongs to us. Count de Blenac, in the patent which he gave us three months ago, on our departure for St. Vincent, begs all foreigners to assist us, and our superiors also thought of asking protection of the English General for the missionary fathers at St. Vincent. I hope that you will anticipate this favour, for which we shall be greatly obliged to you. Signed, Pierre Combaud, Jesuit. Dated, à la Grande Savanne, St. Vincent, le 15 Aout 1686. 1½ pp. Endorsed as the preceding. This is evidently the letter mentioned in No. VI.
871. XIII. Deposition of John Woolven and Joseph Blake. Put in with their sloop at Martinque for wood and water, but were refused. The Governor said they might go to St. Lucia. for it. He added that a pirate, who called himself Temple of the Mary Rose, had been at St. Lucia, which was the French King's, and had driven the French off the island, but that he had raised five hundred men and two men of war, which deponents saw lying in the harbour, to fight Temple. The Governor also said that he would pull down the King's arms set up by Captain Temple in St. Lucia, and would know by what authority the French in the Island had been disturbed. Sworn before Edwyn Stede. 15 Sept. 1686. Original. 1 p. Endorsed as the preceding. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVIII., Nos. 53 I.–XIII.]
Sept. 19. 872. Warrant of the King to Governor Dongan. For the delivery of the fort and country of Pemaquid to Sir Edmund Andros. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXI., pp. 307–308.]
[Sept. 20.] 873. Petition of Christopher Rennolls and others to Governor Dongan. Claiming a bale of silk picked up by them at sea, as part of the crew of the Mariner's Adventure, as salvage. 1 p. Endorsed. A reference of petition by the Council of New York to Captain Matthias Nicolls. Sept. 20, 1686. Signed, J. Spragge. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVIII., No. 54.]
[Sept.] 874. Captain Matthias Nicolls to Governor Dongan. On the petition of the seamen of the Mariner's Adventure, I find that a proportion of salvage is due to the seamen, as well as to the officers of the ship, to be divided among them according to their qualities. Signed, M. Nicolls. 1 p. Undated. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVIII., No. 55.]
Sept. 20. 875. Minutes of Council of New York. Captain Christopher Billop gave evidence of scurrilous language used by Captain Santen against the Governor, and as to frauds on the revenue in Long Island. Ordered that Mr. Santen give in all his papers to the Auditors, and all money due to the King to Governor on October 6th, also a weekly account of the money recived by him on the King's account in future. Petitions of the master and men of the Mariner's Adventure referred to Captain Matthias Nicolls. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXIII., pp. 7A, 8A.]
Sept. 20. 876. Minutes of Council of Jamaica. Report of the free conference. The Council would not consent to the additional duty on imports, and the Assembly would not give way. Message to the Assembly that the Governor could not consent to the additional duty. Order for all members of Council to attend its service, under pain of a fine of five pounds.
Sept. 21. Mr. Speaker reported that the Assembly had voted for a committee to draw up a Poll Bill, to pay the debts incurred for suppression of the negro rebellion. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXVI., pp. 135, 135A.]
Sept. 23. 877. Minutes of Council of New York. The Governor sent for Mr. Santen, and admonished him to be more civil and more diligent in future. He proposed Messrs. Edward Antill, Paulus Schrick, and Thomas Coker as his under-officers. Resolved that the Excise be farmed out. Order as to land-patents, and as to the better protection of the revenue in Long Island. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXIII., pp. 8A, 9A.]
Sept. 23. 878. Records of several documents. (1.) Deeds of Indian Sachems, making over land to the inhabitants of Hampstead, July 17, 1643, and 11 May 1658. (2.) Of the delivery of a letter by the Rev. Josias Clarke. (3.) Of the appointment of John Rand as Emmanuel Windsor's attorney. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXIV., pp. 13–28.]
Sept. 24. 879. Minutes of Council of Jamaica. The Message of the Assembly as to the Poll Bill having been considered, the Lieutenant-Governor replied that he would hear of no more proposals from them; but that if they agreed to vote 1,000l. to be paid to the suppressors of the negro rebellion before Christmas, he would consent that the remaining debts should be charged on an Act for additional duties on imports. The Speaker ordered to put it at once to the vote whether they will do as much or no, and if the House refuse to put it to the vote or pass it in the negative, to adjourn the House and report to the Lieutenant-Governor. The Speaker reporting that the Assembly refused to put it to the vote, the Licutenant-Governor dissolved them. Copy of his speech. The field-officers summoned to advise as to the reduction of rebellious negroes. Account of the sufferings of St. George's, St. Mary's, and St. Thomas's parishes from those negroes. The Governor proposed martial law, but Major Archbold offered to do the work with volunteers. Other officers made like offers, which were accepted on trial, to see if these measures would prove effectual. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXVI., pp. 136–140.]
Sept. 24. 880. Lieutenant-Governor Molesworth's speech to the Assembly of Jamaica. I had intended to sum up to you your whole proceedings up to this day, but your own minutes are sufficient to shew my integrity towards you, and your own unsteady and double dealing. I shall only remind you that you have all of you acknowledged the necessity of raising the money required and voted that necessity unanimously, but have since been so cautious not to affect yourselves therewith that you have omitted nothing, however unreasonable, to ease yourselves therein, and would resolve upon nothing that might burden yourselves. You have been so fickle and inconstant that nothing was to be depended on from you. You have on serveral occasions voted one thing one day and contradicted it the next, so that your whole proceedings have been nothing but a confused medley of contradictions. Never was the venerable name of Assembly so dishonoured as at this time. All things have been carried not by strength of argument or reason, but by noise and number of voices, led by malice and followed by ignorance. Since, therefore, your whole aim seems to be to take some little care of yourselves, but none of the poor people by whose labours and hazards you have so long slept in security, or of the generous persons who voluntarily advanced money for your service, I do in the King's name dissolve you, and you are hereby dissolved. 1½ pp. Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVIII., No. 56.]
Sept. 26.
Windsor.		 881. Warrant for the delivery of the seal of New England to Sir Edmund Andros. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXI., pp. 311–312.]
Sept. 27. 882. Minutes of Council of New York. Order that Lieut.-Colonel John Young, being very ancient and of insufficient estate, be not sworn of the Council until the aforesaid reasons be submitted to the King. Order for the suspension of Peter de le Roy from his post in the King's revenue, he being under suspicion of false dealing in former years. Mr. Santen proposed Mr. Richard Jones to take his place, to which the Governor assented. Testimony of Edward Antill against John Smith, of saying that all the Roman Catholics here are villains. Petition from John Smith, praying for a rehearing of his case and re-admission as an officer of Customs. Refused. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXIII., pp. 9A–12A.]
Sept. 28.
Jamaica.		 883. Lieutenant-Governor Molesworth to William Blathwayt. I dissolved the Assembly on the 24th instant. The Minutes of Council will explain to you my reasons, so I shall add little. They voted a Poll Bill, which, as agreed on, would have answered our ends, and directed their committee to lay a duty on offices and titles, together with a charge on Plantations. The Committee drew up the Bill accordingly, but the House at the first reading threw it out by sixteen to tour, giving no other reason for this sudden change than that they had been caught in an unwary moment, and found the tax unequal. The Speaker informed me of it, and added that he thought they would make some other offers to raise 1,500l. for present and future parties; but I answered that they had been so fickle and inconstant that I would hear no more from them, but would show them that I was unalterable. I delivered my Bill therefore to him, and charged him to put it to the vote, directing him, if they threw it out or refused to vote upon it, to adjourn till morning and bring me word what they had done. He accordingly informed me that they had refused to allow it to be put to the vote with such tumult and noise that he feared the House would have gone together by the ears if he had not adjourned it. He added that the majority was so composed that nothing could be expected from them, which was my own opinion. I therefore proposed to the Council to dissolve them next morning, and did so with the enclosed speech (see No. 880). Directly after the dissolution, I sent for all the field-officers that were among them, and proposed to the Council to enforce martial law for the reduction of some outlying and rebellious negroes about the parish of St. George's, who have been more mischievous than formerly and demand immediate suppression. On this Major Archbold, member for this parish and one of the disaffected members, seeing how ill he should be able to justify himself to the electors, offered to march in ten days with thirty volunteers, at no expense to the country, and remain at the work till he had done something considerable. He named others in the same predicament as himself who would do the same with parties of twenty, which undertaking I expect will be fulfilled in the same spirit as the proposals and votes of the House have been. However, to take from them the pretext for reflecting upon the Government, the whole Council decided that martial law should be deferred till it should be seen what these volunteer parties could produce. As soon as it is found to fall short of what is required, another Council will be called to proclaim martial law, and I shall order out sufficient parties against the negroes to destroy them or to force them into the remotest parts of the Island. The numbers of these rebel negroes is variously reported at from forty to one hundred. They are supposed to have been formed first by negroes saved from a shipwreck on the easternmost part of the Island sixteen or seventeen years ago, who, having associated with themselves other runaways, have made themselves plantations in the mountains from which they descend into the plains in great numbers for provisions, often doing much mischief in obtaining the same. Three parties are constantly abroad out of the parishes of St. Mary, St. George, and St. Thomas, to prevent this, which is so hard a duty and so discouraging to the poorer sort of people, that those of St. George's, unless relieved, are prepared to desert their settlements. I expect the most obstinate opponents will be convinced, after a little smarting under martial law, that it is better to pay, by way of tax, others to do this duty, than to have our servants, horses, and even our persons commanded away at the will of an officer without contradiction. I hope, therefore, that the next Assembly will comply as to that point. I hope also that no future Governor will comply with them as to their security until they have repaid the money borrowed for payment of former war-parties. I send authentic copies of an Act for ascertaining the time for the servitude of rebels, and for better recovery of fines and forfeitures, also three private Acts. I beg that they may be confirmed as early as possible. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXI., pp. 185–191.]
Sept. 28. 884. Journal of Assembly of Barbados. Act for an impost on liquors read twice, also an Act for appraisement of negroes and slaves. Adjourned to 29 November. [Col Entry Bk., Vol. XIV., p. 161.]
Sept. 29. 885. Receipt by the Governor of New England for the new seal of New England. Signed, E. Andros. I p. Endorsed. Recd. 12 Oct. 86. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVIII., No. 57, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXI., p. 312.]
Sept. 30. 886. Minutes of Council of New York. Order for the survey of land newly purchased in Long Island. Mr. Peter Schuyler reported that he had heard that there were two hundred French waiting in the woods for the people of New York. Ordered that those who have licence to trade with the Indians do not go to the south west, but travel to the Ottawas through the Sinoques country, meeting the traders for Albany on the way. Detailed orders for the guidance of the traders. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXIII., pp. 12A–15A.]
Sept. 887. Sir Thomas Pinfold's report on the affront to H.M.S. Dartmouth, at Porto Rico (see No. 678 v.). The outrage offered by the Spaniards is of such a high nature that it cannot be recompensed otherwise than by the lives of the chief actors therein. Yet that the treaties with Spain may be inviolably kept on this side, I recommend that a process be issued from the High Court of Admiralty, with due notice to the Spanish ambassador here, calling on the Spaniards to shew cause for their conduct. This done, the King of Spain is bound to do justice on the Governor of Porto Rico and give good satisfaction. As to the damage claimed by Thomas Bisse, process should be issued calling upon the pirate captain or any others concerned to justify their seizure of the negroes. If the King of Spain delay or refuse satisfaction, letters of reprisal are to be granted. Signed, Tho. Pinfold. 1½ pp. Endorsed. Sept. 86. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVIII., No. 58.]